Nekola, Peter James Born March 19, 1931, Minneapolis, MN, he was preceded in death by his parents, Ida (Müller) Nekola and Peter Thomas Nekola, and his sister, Virginia Aiton. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Senkpiel) Nekola; sister, Barbara Nekola; daughter, Anna Nekola (Bill Kirkpatrick); son, Peter Karl Nekola; and many dear and caring friends and former students at Clay, Calhoun, and Fulton Schools. A graduate of St. Cloud Technical High School and the University of Minnesota, he taught for 36 years in the Minneapolis Public Schools. A veteran of the United States Air Force, 86th Air Police Squadron, he served in Germany during the Korean War. He cared deeply about conservation issues, and was active, beginning in the 1960s, in several initiatives including Arbor Day tree planting, the early establishment of recycling programs, and early CFC legislation. He served as the director of YMCA Camp Kici Yapi in the late 1960s, and was long-time editor of the Minneapolis Public Schools creative writing magazine Gems. He loved camping, canoeing, poetry, walking around Lake Harriet in all seasons, and especially time spent at the family cabin on the Gunflint Trail. If desired, memorial contributions to Mt. Olivet Home, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, or the Gunflint Trail Historical Society would be appreciated. A memorial service in celebration of Peter's life will be held at 1 PM on Monday, February 27 at Mt. Olivet Home, 5517 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis. Friends may gather at noon. Interment at Fort Snelling Cemetery, Wednesday 1:30 PM.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
He was my teacher at Fulton elementary in MPLS. He could have stopped at the responsibility of being a teacher for one year, but he remained a part of many of our lives for years beyond. He was a hero in my eyes. A mentor, teacher, a true gentleman. Long missed, but a blessing from God above.
Scott Elliott
February 22, 2022 | Fairfield, CA | Student
Peter Nikola was my 6th grade teacher at Fulton school. One of the best teaches ever. Loved how he read to us every day...Tripods!
Joann Osgood
June 23, 2013 | Mpls, MN
I have recently retired from the Minneapolis Public Schools and attended a retired teachers luncheon where I learned of Peter's passing. Very early in my career I worked with Peter at Fulton and though many years have gone by, I remember him with fondness and respect. He was a fine and caring man and he touched many lives so positively--I know he touched mine.
Jean Doolittle
December 03, 2012 | Andover, MN
I was in the desert when Pete passed, we had received the annual family letter at Christmas and were pleased to hear all was well as could be, it is with a profound sadness that I hear of his passing. Peter was truly a man among men; he was compassionate, patriotic and caring among many other fine characteristics. I learned to love the wildlands from him and be aware of our insignificance as we relate to the Earth. I enjoyed visiting him at Calhoun Elementary and later on at his home when I...
Steve Lopez
September 27, 2012 | Fort Bragg, NC
I remember Peter reading "The Creamation of Sam Magee" at his West Bearskin cabin and just learned of his death in the Careview "Caring " magazine. I never knew about the children. I am a graduate of Fulton and Southwest long before them. My condolences to all from Florida
Alice Benjamin Boudreau
July 26, 2012 | Bradenton, FL, FL
I credit Mr. Nekola as a driving force in the education of many generations. He taught us more then reading and writing, this man taught me about honor and so much more. He is missed.
Scott Elliott
March 20, 2012 | Bay Area, CA
So sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful man. In our thoughts and prayers.
John & Debbie Reed
March 05, 2012 | Waite Park, MN
Mr. Nekola was my 6th Grade teacher in 1991. I fondly remember going to Fort Snelling on a field trip. He loved the root beer barrels candies and read the book the Red Badge of Courage aloud to us with such dramatics. Of course, you couldn't be in his class with out learning the Star Spangled Banner too of course. He was a stand-out teacher and one of the reasons I became one!
Lindsey Bunting
March 03, 2012 | South St. Paul, MN
Mr. Nekola was one of the best teachers that I ever have had, and not a day goes by where I don't recall some snippet of information, recall that there's more than one verse of the Star Spangle Banner, remember many Civil War songs and stories, and all of the other stories and lessons that inspired so many students. He introduced classes to John Christopher's "The Tripods" and when this became a BBC series (broadcast on PBS), if one of us missed an episode, we knew the other may have recorded...
Andi Billig
February 29, 2012 | Eden Prairie, MN